A tight contest between two well-balanced sides saw the Cell C Sharks register our fifth consecutive Currie Cup win with a 21-20 victory over Western Province at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.
Last week’s bye following three games in eight days had to have had an effect on momentum as the Cell C Sharks battled to get our game flowing but Western Province proved to be their own worst enemies as they relinquished their own lead with some inattentive play in a second half where we dominated but battled to turn possession into points.
The opening couple of minutes produced the kind of reward we could only have hoped for as we earned a penalty on Province ball, kicked it to touch downfield and a strong driving maul from the lineout was brought down, illegally so according to referee Jaco Peyper and a penalty try was awarded.
Damian Willemse scored Province’s first points as the game headed for 10 minutes of play, converting a penalty after we were pinged for offsides on defence. Sadly there was no time for any reversal as the hosts attacked off the kick-off reception and scored their own try immediately afterwards to take a 10-7 lead.
On the quarter hour, Province struck again, eluding a couple of would-be tacklers for a second try.
Both sides had their defence tested, Western Province mostly as we attacked with intent, but a number of incursions came to nought before great interplay between the backs and forwards led to a try for Franco Marais with five minutes of the half remaining to reduce the deficit to 17-14 to the hosts.
There were a few anxious moments as Province had a kickable penalty, albeit from 45 metres out, but they opted for touch – and missed – and we were able to negotiate the last moments of the half without incident as the teams went into the half-time break with the scoreline relatively even.
The first points of the second half went the way of Province following an unfortunate penalty at the breakdown which was sent through the posts for a six point lead. Quite the most frustrating 15 minute period followed as numerous opportunities to score points just couldn’t be closed out as we camped in Province’s 22 but battled to make it count on the scoreboard.
When Province tried to run the ball out their half, they too made mistakes as the game failed to find favour with either side’s best intentions and the harder the Cell C Sharks tried to turn possession into points, the harder we found it to make the final, score-earning pass.
Western Province, starved of the ball and forced to defence, continued to fluff their own lines when the rare opportunity to attack came their way and after earning a warning earlier on, were reduced to 14 men for further indiscretions on defence.
After pushing and pushing and pushing, a grubber through the defence was knocked on by Province and Odwa Ndungane picked it up and scored. The try was awarded before the TMO was called into action and a knock-on was confirmed in the TV replay.
It was a comedy of errors as Western Province then knocked on off a lineout. We attacked off the scrum and this time there was no mistake as Inny Radebe managed to break through for the all-important try. To less than sporting boos, Rhyno Smith converted from out wide as we took the lead, 21-10 with three minutes remaining.
Those last three minutes were nerve-wracking as all we had to do was hang on to the ball and wind the time down. Umpteen phases later the hooter sounded, Michael Claassens kicked the ball out and that was the fifth consecutive win, but a nail-biting one at that.
Character was a world used often in the aftermath of the victory over the Lions two weeks ago and was certainly demonstrated in this match.
Captain Ruan Botha admitted as much after the game when he said, “We knew Province would be tough, especially down here in Cape Town and after their big win against the Lions last week but we stuck to the task and showed character on the field.”
Louis Schreuder was a deserved Man of the Match.
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The final curtain dropped on the local club rugby season with College Rovers adding the Premier Division knockout double to their silverware collection when they won the Murray Cup brought to you by HiTech Ink, Cell C, Castle Lager and Flya and the Premier Division Reserves Peter Taylor Cup beating SA Home Loans 24-13 and 36-27 in each final respectively.
The finals hosted by the Bidvest insurance Crusaders Rugby Club produced some hugely entertaining Club Rugby on the day, which saw the 118 year old club take home the honors in a game that could have gone either way after Rovers only led 12-10 at half time.
Durban Collegians had their fair share of success on the day as well with their Under 20 sides winning their respective finals with their ‘A’ side handsomely beating Rovers 44-24 and securing the Basil Medway Trophy while their ‘B’ side won the DW Geddie Cup after accounting for Varsity College 29-13
It was the Murray Cup however that was clearly the match of the day and like all past finals was a great advert for the club game with Rovers eventually outscoring Durban Collegians four tries to one after a closely contested first half that looked as though the game would swing ether way. With both sides missing key players it was Collegians however who suffered the most but it certainly didn’t deter from a fiercely contested and enthralling game.
The game opened at a rapid pace with both sides testing each other out but it was Collegians who opened the scoring with a well executed try by center Zomuhle Mbona converted by flyhalf Jason Bayford. Rovers clearly looked the more adventurous side but handling errors let them down to start with. Both sides were making unforced errors which led to Rovers flying wing and Man of the Match Tythan Adam going over for the try of the match and what a gem it was.
Rovers prop Byron van de Nest bulldozed over the line for his sides second try, which was converted by Gavin Scott and just before the halftime whistle went Bayford slotted an all important penalty to leave the score at 12-10 at the break.
The second half belonged to Rovers with center Brandon Bailing crossing for a good touch down and Adam going in for his second try of the day so becoming the top try scorer in club rugby this season. Certainly the flying Rovers winger who was voted the Gold Cup Backline Player of the year in last years National Club Championships has lost none of his hunger for scoring tries and surely this fine finisher deserves bigger things in the game in time to come. Scott was successful with one more conversion while Bayford kicked the lone second half penalty for Durban Collegians.
The Deputy Major Fawzia Peer was on hand to hand out the winning cheque to Skipper Chris Jordaan while the President of the KZNRU Francois Louis handed over the 127 year old trophy to the winning side.
The Ladysmith Bulldogs beat Kokstad 31-15 in the Third Division Findlay Cup making it two in a row, while Westville beat Newcastle Highlanders 24-19 in the First Division Reserves Keith Parkinson Cup. Jaguar Land Rover Durban Hillcrest won the Junior Murray Cup for the third year in a row after they beat Vryheid 45-26. It couldn’t have been a better send off for skipper Brian Lewis who hangs up his boots after 16 years service with Villagers. Then being awarded the Man of the Match was certainly the cherry on the top for their faithful stalwart.
Club rugby will continue with College Rovers participating in the National Club Championships and will kick off their campaign in Namibia when the travel to Windhoek to face Western Suburbs a club with a passionate support base and founded in 1979.
The KZNRU would like to extend there condolence’s to the family of Bill Fourie one of the founders of the Richards Bay Rugby Club who also served as Chairman. He was an honorary life member and Honorary President of the club and Vice President of the Zululand Sub Union at the time of his sad passing this past weekend. They also send condolence’s to Craig, Cameron, Hilton, Greg and Doug Mundell of Juiced Media and DNA Print publishers and printers of the Sharks Magazine and all their respective families on the sad passing of their father Doug Mundell Snr who was laid to rest last Friday.
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